Tickets go on sale April 1 in Knoxville for Moscow Ballet’s celebrated Great Russian Nutcracker at Tennessee Theatre on Wednesday December 23, 3:00pm matinee and 7:00pm evening.

The ultimate holiday tradition for the youngest to the seniors in every family, seeing Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker creates holiday memories that last a lifetime. Moscow Ballet’s company of almost 40 dancers is the only internationally touring ballet group to perform to critical acclaim in over 75 North American cities annually. The renowned, award-winning principal dancers and corps de ballet thrill audiences with their expertise, dramatic expression and stunning leaps, drops and turns. The production is known for its dedication to world peace placing Act II in the “Land of Peace and Harmony,” featuring a cannon that shoots roses and a stunning 2-dancer “Dove of Peace” with a 20’ wingspan. All ages feel the spirit of the season at Great Russian Nutcracker performances through the beauty of romantic hand-sewn costumes, 9 shimmering backdrops with authentic splashes of Russian history and fanciful effects such as; life-sized Matrushka (Nesting) Dolls; a 3-headed Rat King and a Troika Sleigh ride through the magical Snow Forest (with falling snow) escorted by Father Christmas and Snow Maiden.

Tickets start at $30.00. Groups of ten or more and Girl Scout troops receive discounts by calling 800-320-1733. Seniors 65+, Military and AAA discounts are available at the theater box office with appropriate identification. For Gold Circle Gift Package and single tickets call Ticketmaster 800-745-3000 or go to www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets.

Moscow Ballet’s “Dance with Us” Audition Director Olga Aruwill be present to select 60 student dancers to perform side-by-side with the professional company of 40 Russian dancers. Students are cast in ancillary roles of Party Children, Mice, Snowflakes, Angels, and more. Applicants must be between 7 and 16 years old, have at least one year of ballet training, dress in dance attire and may bring Pointe shoes. The experience of working and performing with professional ballerinas is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring dancers. “The payoff at the end of the rehearsals is the opportunity to be part of Christmas magic, to dance under shimmering lights with award-winning Russian dancers against exquisite hand-painted sets. It’s great for the kids. They get to dance in a professional production,” affirms Margaret Engle of Dance City Productions FL.

At Danse Et Plus, we instill in each child that "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.” Jesse Jackson. You never know what you can do until you try! We think that every child should dream big. We teach dance because we love it! We feel blessed to do what we love. At the studio, we balance education with fun and excitement. Children learn best when they are enjoying what they are being taught.

"Nothing tops Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker."Baltimore Sun

The Tennessee Theatre opened in 1928, featuring the movie The Fleet’s In, starring the legendary Clara Bow. Other classic movies were premiered there through the years as well, in addition to stage productions and various music performances.

The building, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was refurbished in the late 1960s, and again in 1981. Today, the theatre hosts a variety of performers and productions, such as BB King, Alice Cooper, and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

Jan, 2014 – Dance with Us

Kaydee was a student dancer in the Great Russian Nutcracker performance at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville and this was her first year being able to audition and perform in this production. It has taken several years of her dancing for her to be able to work up to this point, she is a Cancer survivor of Leukemia. She was diagnosed at 3 years old and underwent 5 tedious years of treatment.

Once she had been off treatment and got to get back to living life, when Kaydee left each class she thought she was a dancer on Broadway. I think being treated like she was just one of the girls after what all she had been thru just lit a fire in Kaydee, she began to Live to Dance, literally. It’s awesome what ballet has done for her, although she has gotten in trouble at home for dancing in every room in the house, at the grocery store, even at the doctor’s office, she didn't care!

That's why after several years of her begging me to be a part of your show~~~ I finally gave in because I knew she could put in the time and effort that was required to perform and not let her fellow dancers down by not having what it takes. And she did it, she and I both cried from being so happy. She had proved to herself that she could dance with the Best of the Best, and she did....beautifully I must say. That is a memory she will NEVER forget, Kaydee is a perfect example of someone who has overcome a life threatening illness and prospered and thrived because of her love for Dance.